DIARY OF 

tlVATE GIUSEPPE L. ROMEO 

Co. E, 36],st Infantry 




91st DIVISION, A. E. F. 

DURING THE WAR 



PRICE, FIFTY CENTS 



COPYRIGHTED 1919 

By PRIVATE GIUSEPPE L. ROMEO 

Phone Madison 112 R-3 P. O. Box 951 Tacoma, Wash. 



T. V. Copeland & S^n,<^^«- Printers, Tacoma, Wash. 



DIARY OF 

PVT. GIUSEPPE L. ROMEO 

Co. E, 361st Inf. '' 




91ST DIVISION, A. E. F. 

DURING THE WAR 
PRICE, FIFTY CENTS 

COPYRIGHTED 1919 




GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING 

Commanding the American Expeditionary Forces 

in Europe. 



G. H. Q. 

AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. 

General Orders No. 38-A 



France, February 28, 1919. 
My Fellow Soldiers: 

Now that your service with the American Expedi- 
tionary Forces is about to terminate, I can not let you 
go without a personal word. At the call to arms, the 
patriotic young manhood of America eagerly responded 
and became the formidable army whose decisive victories 
testify to its efficiency and its valor. With the support 
of the nation firmly united to defend the cause of 
liberty, our army has executed the will of the people 
with resolute purpose. Our democracy has been tested, 
and the forces of autocracy have been defeated. To the 
glory of the citizen-soldier, our troops have faithfully 
fulfilled their trust, and in a succession of brilliant of- 
fensives have overcome the menace to our civilization. 






^1 As an individual, your part in the world war has 

"^ been an important one in the sum total of our achieve- 
^ ments. Whether keeping lonely vigil in the trenches, 
^ or gallantly storming the enemy's stronghold; whether 
\^ enduring monotonous drudgery at the rear, or sustaining 
t the fighting line at the front, each has bravely and ef- 
ficiently played his part. By billing sacrifice of per- 
sonal rights; by cheerful endurance of hardship and 
privation; by vigor, strength and indomitable will, made 
effective by thorough organization and cordial co-opera- 
tion, you inspired the war-worn Allies with new ilfe and 
turned the tide of threatened defeat into overwhelming 
victory. 

With a consecrated devotion to duty and a will to 
conquer, you have loyally served your country. By 
your exemplary conduct a standard has been established 
and maintained never before attained by any army. 
With mind and body as clean and strong as the decisive 
blows you delivered against the foe, you are soon to 
return to the pursuits of peace. In leaving the scenes 
of your victories, may I ask that you carry home your 
high ideals and continue to live as you have served — an 
honor to the principles for which you have fought and 
to the fallen comrades you leave behind. 

It is with pride in our success that I extend to you 
my sincere thanks for your splendid service to the army 
aiid to the nation. 

Faithfully, 

JOHN J. PERSHING, 

Official Commander in Chief. 

ROBERT C. DAVIS, Adjutant General. 



Copy furnished Pvt. Guiseppi L. Romeo, 

H. P. HOFFMAN, Capt. 361st Inf., Comdg. 



A SYNOPSIS OF THE AUTHOR 



I, Giuseppe L. Romeo, was bom in the town of 
Cliimea, Italy, on April 13, 1891. 

I came to Canada from Italy in 1907 and worked in 
Montreal for about one year. I then worked my way 
to Vancouver, B. C, where I stayed until September, 1909, 
when I came to Seattle. 

I worked for the N. P. on an extra gang for about 
a year and then went to work in a show shed up in 
the Cascade mountains. 

Later I came to Tacoma and worked at the Smelter 
and on the tunnel and for the Hans Peterson Company 
and Washington Paving Company. 

After that I returned to Seattle and went to work in 
the Pacific Steel and Iron Works, remaining there until 
October 4, 1917, when I entered the service of the United 
States Army. 

I am a citizen of the United States, having taken 
out my papers February 3rd, 1913. 



MY DIARY 



I reported to Local Board, District No. 10, October 
3rd, 1917, at Seattle, Washington. 

On October 4th, I g-ot up about 7 o'clock and packed 
up, ready for anything that might come in my direction. 
I reported back to the Local Board about 9 o'clock, and 
waited for the rest of the bunch to show up. When 
the rest of our quota had arrived we were taken to a 
big hotel and treated to a big dinner, after which we 
were taken to a theater. We were treated royally by 
every one. After the show we paraded around town 
and then finally marched to the depot, where we en- 
trained for Camp Lewis. 

Arriving at the Camp we were marched over to 
Montana Avenue, to the Depot Brigade Headquarters, 
where we were assigned to barracks, and received our 
mess kits and one blanket. We were a curiosity for 
all eyes, and the soldiers all hollored at us, "Look at the 
ears on them!" and "Where did you come from?" And 
when we hollored back "Seattle," they said, "All right, 
Buddy, B. S." 

We had expected the same kind of treatment on 
our arrival here as we had received in Seattle, but were 
sadly disappointed. 

Didn't get much sleep that night, as every one was 
sore, and when any one would snore, a flock of shoes 
would go in that direction. A snore was a signal for 
battle. The Top Sergeant tried to quiet them, but it 



THE DIARY OF 



was of no use. The men were going to have their last 
night a night of freedom. 

I was assigned to the 7th Co. Depot Brigade, and 
had charge of the 23rd Squad. Dichi't know a thing 
about Squads East and West, but soon learned. 

The 21st of October was transferred to Headquarters 
Company, 361st Infantry. Was in the Pioneers Platoon, 
Drilled and hiked every day in this Company. Was 
assigned to take the Squads to English School 3 hours 
a day at the Y. M. C. A. Had a disagreement with one 
of the Corporals. Got as punishment 3 days hard labor. 
Was then transfeiTed to Company E, 361st Infantry, 
Better known as ''Hungry E." I remained in this Com- 
pany throughout the entire training of the 91st. 

While the life at camp was hard, there was plenty 
of recreation during the evening hours to even things up. 
that is if we weren't out on a problem or a midnight 
hike or a fire. There was always a theater to go to, and 
Greene Park offered all kinds of amusement for the tired 
soldier. To say nothing of the many 36 and 48-hour 
week-end passes. Mostly 36-hours though. 

But after a hard day's drill or digging trenches at 
night in the rain and wind, standing formations during 
the cold weather, and especially the fire drills at night, 
were things that one can never forget, even after having 
gone through the Argonne. 

You are awakened by the bugle. Is it the "Call 
to Arms? Are you in France?" Then you hear the 
Top Kicker's whistle and his ever cheery voice. "Hit 
the deck, you leatheniecks." "What do you think this 
is, a picnic?" Get out and get in line, pronto." "Line 
up." "Fall in." "Romeo, why in h— 1 haven't you got 
your pants on? Where do you think you are, on the 
beach at Waikiki?" 

"No sir, some one took them and left me a smaller 



PRIVATE ROMEO 




o 



10 THE DIARY OF 



pair, and I couldn't g-et ^into them." You line up in 
your underwear and overcoat with the rest. 

Then w^e would get the command to double-time, 
and we would too. About two miles to an imaginary 
fire in some barracks and practice with the buckets and 
ladders. 

We have had as many as three drills in one nig*ht. 
It breaks the monotony of camp routine — also sleep. 
1 think the fire department slept during the day, as 
night was the only time the call would come. 

Thus we passed the time, drilling and digging, hiking 
and more digging until June 23rd. 

On June 23rd, we left Camp Lewis at 12:15 o'clock. 
Went through Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, 
Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and 
New York. Unloaded at Hoboken, New Jersey, about 
3 a. m. on June 29th, 1918, and marched about one mile 
to Camp Merritt with full packs. We stayed at Camp 
Merritt until July 4th. We had no drilling but drew 
equipment and had our final overseas examinations. 

During our stay at Camp Merritt, I had the g-ood 
fortune to be granted a 21 -hour pass to New York. As 
it was exceptionally warm that day and coming from a 
drj'- state my thoughts were far from warfare. What I 
wanted was a good snort of demon rum. The Top 
Cutter, who was a g-ood scout when not on duty, was of 
the same frame of mind that I was, so we cast our lot 
together and started the search. Not a thing was to 
be had in New York but a quiet tip from an old trooper; 
started us for Coney Island. Here, on the advice of 
the trooper, we rented bathing suits and proceeded to 
get wet. No, not outwardly, except where glass would 
accidentally slip from either lack of strength or nervous- 
ness, but inwardly. We sat around all day in that 
bathing suit, lapping up the cooling suds and chasing- 
it down with a dash of Johnny Walker or Old Crow, 



PRIVATE ROMEO 11 



and all the time the cold wind was blowing off the ocean 
and goose pimples standing out a foot on our bare legs 
and arms. Did we have a large time? Well, I'll say 
so. The Top got sick and went down on the beach. 
I went with him, and we both went to sleep. A "bull" 
came along and told us to beat it, but we couldn't at 
that time. We were supposed to be back at camp at 
9 A. M., but we didn't get back until noon. The Top 
was "busted," and I drew Company punishment for being 
overdue on pass. But the Top said it was worth it. 

About midnight of July 4th, we hiked with heavy 
packs about 11 miles, to Hoboken, New Jersey, arriving 
there about 4:30 a. m., completely all in. Before we 
left we were given 10 rounds of ammunition and ordered 
to load and lock our pieces. 

We were not allowed to smoke or even talk on this 
hike. So you can imagine how pleasant the trip was. 
They didn't want us to talk as they were afraid that 
the German government would hear about it and stop 
the war. We rested about three hours from this 'pleas- 
ant hike, and then went on board the boat. She was 
the Scotian, a "limey" freighter, manned by a "limey" 
crew. We were very tired and hit our hammocks early, 
and the next morning, July 6th, w^hen we awoke, we 
were on the high seas, bound for Scotland, or some sub- 
teranean cavern. 

The first thing that was given us, outside of a 
place to sleep somewhere between the top deck and the 
rudder, was a swell life preserver. Had to wear it 
at all times, too, even while we slept. There were only 
5000 men on this boat, most of them sick. Oh, yes, 
we had a swell time. Measles inspection, boat and fire 
drills, physical drills without shoes, but the most popu- 
lar thing v/as called "throwing the lunch." In this game 
a crowd of boys would line the rail and at a given 
lurch of the boat, Jose everything but their shoes. 



THE DTARY OP^ 



There vras a bunch of men forming' an essential part of 
the aniiy called the by some the "C. C." Brigade, or 
the 'Iodine Squadron," or even the "Pill Battery," but 
more commonly called the fig'hting' medics. The gang 
used to tormert them such as taking their leggings off 
while asleep or taking a nice hat or other equipment 
that happened to be needed. Slamming a "limey" on 
the jaw for insulting the U. S. was also a popular sport. 

In regard to the eats, there is as little to say as 
what we received. MaiTnalade, stewed mutton, as tough 
as a cow's hoof and just about as tasty; oleomargine, tea 
and the swellest buns. Just the kind a bride makes for 
her husband's first meal. About the only time we got 
anything to eat was when we could steal something out 
of the cook shack when the cook's back was turned. 

Our sleeping quarters were also good. Swell ham- 
mock over the mess tables. No fresh air or anything. 
It sure was great to lie in a hammock and get rocked 
to sleep by the bilowy deep. 

After eleven days of this we landed at Glasgow, 
Scotland, disembarking about 6 p. m., July 17, 1918. 
Boarded a third-class train for Southampton, England. 
Arriving at Southampton, we hiked with full packs to a 
rest camp. It was 3:30 a. m. when we arrived at 
this camp. It was raining and very muddy, and we 
were soaked to the skin. 

We left this camp at 3:30 p. m., on July 20th, arriv- 
ing at the Southampton docks at 7 p. m. Here we again 
boarded a boat, this time for La Harve, just across the 
English Channel. The boat was so crowded that we 
could not move around. We landed at La Havre, France, 
on the 21st and hiked to another rest camp. And believe 
me, it was some hike. About 7 miles and all up hill. 
Here we had a 3 minute steam bath. We left this rest 
camp about 4 p. m. on July 22nd and hiked back to La 
Havre, but this time it was not so bad, as it was all 



PRIVATE ROMEO 



1 



MUD 

(See i'lLge t>o iur Description) 



THE DIARY OF 



down hill and the boys were all in good spirits as the 
*result of a good night's rest. 

Here we met our first experiences. We entrained 
in box cars with 40 men in each car— "40 Hommes — 8 
Chaveaux". We left the station at 7 p. m. The 2nd 
Platoon stole 3 kegs of beer but I was out of luck as I 
belonged to the 3rd Platoon on this box car trip. Private 
Goan fell off the train and was sent to the hospital and 
Private Bud Knieland got left, but later both joined the 
Company. 

We arrived at Audilly on July 24, and spent the night 
under sheds, sleeping on the ground. I was on guard that 
night and walked post for 6 hours without relief. From 
here we hiked to Ten Bassigney, a distance of 28 kilos. 

We arrived there about 6 o'clock on the evening of 
the 25th and were assigned to billets. We moved into 
them the next morning after the hogs and chickens had 
been run out. 

July 26th. The whole Company on fatigue cleaning 
up the streets of the town. One can't imagine how 
dirty the place really is. The houses are combination 
house, bam, chicken house and hog pen. The family 
live in the front part and the other part is where the 
stock is kept. The chickens come in the house and 
scratch around the straw on the floor. The yards are 
just as dirty as the bams. Just get the place cleaned 
and the frogs drive in their stock again. This is the 
first time the place has been cleaned since Napoleon's 
time. We had to run the cattle and hogs out so we 
could clean up and get a place to sleep. Believe me, 
we cleaned up, too. 

July 27th. Company E mounted guard. I didn't 
have to go on guard. First piece of good luck I had 
had since my arrival. Drilled three hours and was 
off duty. 



PRIVATE ROMEO 15 



July 28th. Drilled all day. To keep from getting 
dizzy we played easy games, such as hitting a guy in 
the head mth a rock and let him chase you a couple 
of kilometers. 

July 29th. Same old stuff — Squads East and West 
and chasing each other with clubs. 

July 30th. Still at it. We must have worn out 
about a dozen officers the last few days. The officer 
stands still and gives the commands while we do all the 
walking. They have awful good voices, but poor feet. 

July 31st. This was the hottest day we have had, 
and we had to do some hard hiking. About 18 kilome- 
ters. Everybody soaked with perspiration. We saw 
some very interesting sights. Old villages and churches 
and everything. We sure needed the hike as we havn't 
been doing much. 

August 1st. Had field inspection. This is the first 
one we have had since arriving in France. I guess 
they wanted to see how much rust can get on our mess 
gear and tools during a sea voyage. This field in- 
spection is the real peruvian doughnuts. Speaking of 
those things I wouldn't mind having a few and some real 
Camp Lewis Post Ex. Java. A lot of the boys were 
called down, but I got by 0. K. 

August 2nd. Dug trenches. This trench digging is 
all new, as I only had about six months of it. It rests 
the back. 

August 3rd. Hiked to Essay today. Didn't get 
enough exercise yesterday, so the "loot" decided that he 
needed a walk. Real pleasant. Only about 900° in 
the shade. These trench hats are real cool. 

August 4th. We had an inspection this morning, and 
I got called down because my rifle was dirty. The 
Capt. said; "Go back and clean that rifle up, and get 
back out here." I went in and set on my bunk for 



16 THE DIARY OF 



about ten minutes and then picked up my gun and went 
out and got back in line again. He came over and 
grabbed my rifle and looked at it and said, "That is 
better; why didn't you have it like that in the first 
place?" 

Well, after the inspection, we didn't do anything 
much but just hang around close. The band was out 
this evening and we had some good music and plenty of 
dancing. The French girls would grab a fellow and 
start out dancing just like they had known him for a 
long time. We sure had a good time. 

August 5th. Organized the Company. This isn't 
organizing for a liquor party. Was put in the 1st 
Squad of the 1st Platoon. The 1st Platoon must be 
the trench diggers. I am sure a lucky dog. 

August 6th. Out guard problem. The Platoon goes 
out and defends a position, or attacks as ordered, 
against the enemy. Also guard duty in enemy 

territory. 

August 7th. Company hiked about 10 kilometers to 
Montiqey. Another officer was getting too lazy to 
work so the skipper had the boys take him out for 
exercise. Believe me he got it. 

August 8th. Drilled part of the day and then 
lined up for pay. Drew 70 francs. After supper went 
to a wine joint and got liquored up. Pretty nearly 
broke so went back and won 150 france in a poker 
game. Went back to the ^\^ne joint and was drunk 
the rest of the night. 

August 9th. Rifle range in the a. m. Went to 
Chauniont and drew gas masks. Nice things to wear. 

August 10th. We practised the French skirmish 
drill all day, and believe me we sure had to drill. We 
were out in the hills and had to run up one side and 
lay down on the top and then jump up and run down 
the other side. 



PRIVATE ROMEO 



17 




o 



18 THE DIARY OF 



August 11th. We went out to the place where we 
quit the skirmish drill the day before and started back 
over the same ground, only in the opposite direction with 
the same kind of drill, so we could get the idea of it 
from both directions. 

August 12th. We got back to close order drill 
and went around squads east and west all day. 

August 18th. Hiked to Fort Laugner today. This 
is a small town of about six hundred population. All 
the small French towns look alike. It was so dirty 
that some of us wanted to put on our gas masks to go 
through. We didn't go to see the Forts, but for 
exercise. 

August 14th. Long practice march. Only allowed 
one canteen of water on the hike. We were some dry 
when we returned. Captain told the 1st Sergeant to 
dismiss the Company and then drown themselves. Be- 
lieve me they did — in vin blanc and cognac. 

August 15th. Rifle range in a. m. Did very well. 
Got a good score. Also had an hour gas mask drill 
after supper. I can get mine on in about 40 seconds 
now. That is, if I have good luck. 

August 16th. We had close-order drill half the 
day and wigwag and semaphore the rest of the time. 

August 17th. Problem from Chaumont to Surry. 
This included the supposed capture of one part of the 
company by the other half. We separated and went 
different directions, and then sent out scouts to locate 
the "Reds" and the "Reds" sent out scouts to locate 
us. Then we practised skirmish lines and went against 
each other for fair. 

August 18th. Inspection. I don't know what they 
forgot this time, but anyway, we were out on the field 
as per usual. Got by this one 0. K. 



PRIVATE ROMEO 13 



August 19th. More manuel labor and skirmish 
work. Would like to have lead an attack on a rum 
joint, but there were too many watching. 

August 20th. Dug more trenches. That is the 
rest did. I beat it off with a couple of birds to a near 
by house and had a feed. Got back in time to go 
home. 

August 21st. Inspection. This seems to be getting 
to be a regular thing. Got bawled out for not having 
all my equipment out. Was given extra duty for pun- 
ishment. Have to walk with full pack one hour each 
night after retreat for a week. 

August 22nd. Problem — Capturing a few hills. 
This was a Battalion problem. Part of the Battalion 
went into the hills to defend it. The others to capture 
it. We were on the offensive, and after sending out 
scouting parties and advance guards, stormed the hills 
and captured th enemy. These problems are supposed 
to take place as they would under actual war conditions. 

August 23rd. We took our packs and hiked over 
to Chaumont to the gas house. When you go in the 
gas house you have your gas mask on; after you get in 
the door is closed and you stay in a while and then 
lift one side of your mask up to let the gas in so you 
can see just what it is like. It was done to show you 
that as long as you had your gas mask on and it 
didn't leak you were safe from any kind of gas as well 
as to train you in the use of the masks. At this 
particular time they used "tear gas." When we raised 
our mask and let the gas in to our face it couldn't be 
felt at first, but it could be smelt. We held our mask 
open about ten seconds and then let it down and cleared 
our mask. The gas soon took effect, and the tears 
began running down our faces and our eyes smarted 
for about a half hour, but there was no bad effects 
afterwards. 



20 THE DIARY OF 



August 24th. Problem at SuiTey. This was a 
regimental problem and on the same plan as the others. 
Pretty tird when we got back, but beaucoup cognac fixes 
the tired trooper up. 

August 25th. Another full field inspection and 
believe me they sure looked them over good. Ever 
since the Captain called me down for having a dirty 
rifle he takes an especially good look at my rifle, but 
I was next to him and had it shined up right, but he 
bawled me out for having "bad looking equipment." 
I was not the only one that got bawled out, for about 
two dozen of them got it. 

August 26th. Drill cut to six hours. When we 
were told that our drill had been cut down we sure 
were a happy bunch, for it meant we would have more 
time to run around and get acquainted with the girls. 

August 27th. Drilled all day today. Squads East 
and West, gas mask and skirmish. I guess the officers 
think that w^e will forget how. 

August 28th. Went to Fort Dompere today. It 
was built in 1645, and remodeled in 1870. Some Fort. 
It is one of the oldest in France. The top of a moun- 
tain was dug out and the fort built like an under ground 
city. To get into it you pass through a big iron gate 
and was in a big place just like a long city street with- 
out any cross streets and with high walls built on 
both sides and ends. On one side was a lot of big 
iron doors, after passing through one of them you was 
in a street in the fort proper. Here it was built just 
like a city, but all under ground. 

It took the Division seven hours with steady march- 
ing to pass through the gates. 

August 29th. Drilling as usual. I guess they still 
think we don't get enough exercise. Wish I could 
take charge for about a week. I would do nothing but 
sleep and eat. 



PRIVATE ROMEO 21 



August 30th. Grenade work with real live ones. 
It's lots of fun to hear them bust. One fellow pulled 
the pin and forgot to throw it. Went off in his hand. 
Haven't found all of him yet. 

August 31st. Big hike of 15 miles. These others 
are all small ones. Seven to ten miles each. Must 
be gettting ready to move to the front. We are getting 
all tired out drilling. 

September 1st. Out on a two-day problem. This 
was a divisional problem. Ordered back to roll up and 
start for the front. Believe me some excitement. 

September 2nd. No drill today. Everybody lying 
around or cleaming up camp preparatory to leaving. 
Believe me we are leaving it cleaner than it was when 
we moved in. 

September Srd. Started hiking to Raibend. Hard 
walking as the packs were ver>^ heavy and the mud made 
progress slow. 

September 4th. The Division arrived at Raibend. 
Had to unroll packs and pitch tents. Not much chance 
for a rest either. 

September 5th. Still at Raibend. Raining hard 
and lots of mud. Expect to leave in the morning. 

September 6th. Left this a. m. in box cars, forty- 
two men to car. On guard and looking for a place to 
sit down. Not much chance as the rest of the gang 
were looking for the same chance. 

September 7th. Still standing up in the box cars. 
Everybody was dead tired. The sanitary conditions were 
not of the best either. Not even a chance to exercise. 
I guess we will get enough before long. Too tired to 
even pay .attention to the scenery. 

September 8th. Arrived at Demauge. Bunk fatigue. 
Everybody all in from the ride, so we all took things 
easy. 



22 THE DIARY OF 



September 9th. Drilled part of the day. No place 
to g-o, and couldn't go if we wanted to. 

September 10th. Left Demauge at 9 p. m. for the 
front line trenches. Of course we walked. Headed for 
some woods. 

September 11th. Landed in the woods and pitched 
tents. Gave us "Right by File" and took us over 3 hours 
to get settled. Raining hard and awful muddy. Not 
allowed to smoke or talk at night. 

September 12th Slept in the woods in a tent with 
McCormick and another private so we could keep warm. 
It was very cold and it was raining hard. Didn't sleep 
very well either. 

September 13th. Left the woods and hiked 2 miles 
to the trucks. Twenty men to a truck. Were some 
crowded. Going to a place near Verdun. 

September 14th. Arrived at Maurats. Didn't have 
much to do but pitch tents and clean up for a camp. 
Told to clean up for inspection. 

September 15th. Inspection. Everybody got by 0. 
K. It seems that all they do during spare time is in- 
spect. The Captain sure looked me over good. 

September 16th. Left Maurats. It was some hike 
we had. Was all in when we arrived, and was put on 
a detail. Slept in the woods. 

September 17th. Hiked all night. We do all our 
hiking at night so as to keep from being seen by the 
Boche planes. No talking or smoking either. 

September 18th. Still hiking and all in. Packs 
are getting awful hea\'y. Reached Verd at night. Wished 
I had a snort of cognac. 

September 19th. Hiked all night. German long- 
range guns firing at us, but we keep on going. Lots 



PRIVATE ROMEO 



23 




24 THE DIARY OF 



of men dropping out from fatigue. They catch up 
with us when we rest. 

September 20th. Heard the big guns. We are 
getting closer to the front line. 

September 21st. Left the woiods at 9 o'clock and 
stopped in the trenches while the bombardment was go- 
ing on. 

September 22nd. Some place in the back trench. 
Bombardment keeps up all the time. Pretty tired and 
hungry. Too busy traveling to eat. 

September 23rd. Still in the back trenches. Rest- 
ing as much as we can. All the boys in good spirits. 

September 24th. Still in the back trenches. We 
moved up in the evening. 

September 25th. Preparing to move up. We are 
in the trenches in the Argonne forest. Our artillery 
put over a barrage from 2 a. m. until 11 a. m. All 
infantry soldiers not engaged on active duty told to stay 
under cover as there was pronounced activity by Ger- 
man air forces. Seen three airplane engagements. 
Two Boche planes were seen to fall in flames under 
heavy fire from American planes. It certainly put 
heart in us as they were the first American planes we 
have seen in action, and anything American looked good 
to us. At 11:45 p. m. we moved up to front line 
trenches which the French army had occupied for four 
years, and said advance against Boches was impossible 
on account of entrenchments. 

September 26th. Moved out of the trenches at day 
break and advanced across "No-Man's Land" which was 
torn up by our artillery. The reinforced concrete 
dugouts were blown all to pieces. We advanced in skir- 
mish line. Some tough going. Casuals, as we were in 
support. Saw our first comrades who had given their all. 



PRIVATE ROMEO 25 



Also some dead Germans. Only one meal of corned willie 
and one hard tack. Slept along side of the road. 

September 27th. First trip over the top. Few casuals. 
Captured the town of Eclesfontain. 364th took over the 
front so we moved back into some trenches for the night. 
Heavily shelled. 

September 28th. Issued some more rations. Moved 
through Eclesfontain. Mopped up some woods. Were 
heavily shelled in the p. m. McMullin and Williams 
killed. Several killed and wounded. Moved up at night 
and relieved the machine guns who were surrounded by 
the Germans. Raining hard all the time and awful cold. 
No raincoats or overcoats but plenty of ammunition. 

September 29th. Beaucoup shelling snippers. After- 
noon over the top. Through big German barrage. Many 
killed and wounded. Lieut. Armstrong wounded. Lieut. 
Hoffman in command. Captured Gesnes. Hardest fight- 
ing yet and many of our boys were lost. 

September 30th. Had to move back out of Gesnes 
as the Divisions on the right and left had not advanced 
in support. 

October 1st. In support. Heavy artillery fire. 
Very few present for roll call, as our Company was all 
scattered out. 

October 2nd. Still in support. Waiting for the 
other Divisions to advance. Lots of artillery fire. 

October 3rd. Support. Aeroplanes very active. 
Beaucoup Boche planes in air. 

October 4th. Support. Relieved by another dough- 
boy outfit. My Corporal was killed. Marched about ten 
kilos to the rear. All in. 

October 5th. Reserve. Plenty of rest in the woods. 
Everybody tired, as we had very little sleep during the 
past ten days. 



26 THE DIARY OF 



October 6th. Reserve. Got some mail and got paid. 
Believe me, we sure were himgry for we hadn't had much 
to eat. Had about six trucks of bread. They were un- 
loaded at the edge of the woods. That night two of us 
went out and stole 6 or 7 loaves. Sure did enjoy eating 
it for we were so hungry. In the afternoon were ordered 
to take a bath in a small creek where there was about 
an inch of water. Were not allowed to drink it. First 
time to have our shoes off in 17 days. 

October 7th. Moved further back. Stopped about 
noon and pitched tents. Started back to the front at 4:30 
a. m. all in. 

October 8th. Reached front line at daylight and 
took over some outposts of the 32nd Division. Very few 
casuals. 

October 9th. Outposts. Moved up into creek in 
afternoon. Ready to advance in skirmish line at any 
moment. Prepared for counter attack at night. 

October 10th. Stand to. No Attack. Heavy shelling 
on both sides. Moved forward in come back groups 3 
kilos into the woods. 

October 11th. Held the front. Not much fighting. 
Machine gun barrage by 347th Machine Gun Battalion. 

October 12th. Quiet. Rations issued at night. Been 
relieved. Moved out single file. Passed the rear of the 
column about midnight. Reached our kitchen and had 
our supper. Camped for the night. 

October 13. Hiked all day. All in and feet on the 
blink. 

October 14th. Still hiking and everybody sick. Have 
to keep moving. 

October 15th. Hiked 18 kilos to Bar-le-Duc. This 
is about what we have been doing every day. Don't 
pay much attention to scenery. 



PRIVATE ROMEO 27 



October 16th. Still hiking. All in, but haven't 
dropped yet. Lots of the boys too sick to go farther. 
Leave them a long side of the road. 

October 17th. Hiked. Was taken sick and sent to 
the hospital. Lots of the boys went with me. 

October 18th. In bed in Ward K. Too tired to 
even turn in bed. Lots of wounded here. Also gas 
patients. Moving them back to the Base Hospital. 

October 19th. Feeling better. Walked around. Had 
a feed with Private Dutchy, Headquarters Company and 
missed the chance to go to the Hospital 

October 20th. Walked around. Went to town and 
had another feed. A Major ate with us and paid the bill. 
He was on his way to Paris. 

October 2l3t. Feeling pretty good, but still weak. 
My feet are in pretty bad condition. I guess my shoes 
are too small — size 11 ^/^ EE. Got in a poker game and 
won 200 francs. 

October 22nd. Was in bed all day today. Winning 
200 francs kind of fatigued me. 

October 23rd. Lying around all day and playing 
cards. Those able to go are leaving for replacement 
camps. 

October 24th. Played Cards. Went to the Eed Cross 
and had a hair cut and a cup of cocoa and some cookies 
to pass the time away. 

October 25th. Still hanging around. Went to the 
Red Cross for more eats. 

October 26th. Ordered to leave for replacement 
camp. Don't know^ where we are bound for, but some 
place on the front. 

October 27th. Lined up for rations and traveling 
orders. About 20 men in our bunch. 



28 THE DIARY OF 



October 28th. Still waiting orders and sleeping on 
the floors. Have no blankets and it's pretty cold. Can't 
go any place. 

October 29^h. On train bound for Belgium. Cars 
not so bad as the ones we came up to the front on. 
Riding like millionaires. 

October 30th. Got off train at Noisey la Sec to draw 
rations when train pulls out and leaves us. Went to a 
hotel and got a room. Had some eats and drinks. 

October olst. Left for another hotel out of towTi 
so that the M. Ps. wouldn't bother us. Met another 
soldier who tried to get us to join his outfit. He went 
away and got two M. Ps. who arrested us and took us 
to the "can". 

November 1st. Moved to Chelles to a larger guard 
house. Gray-headed Loot of the 158th Infantry, 40th 
Division, asked us questions. Called me Black Joe from 
Frisco. One of the M. P. Sergeants knocked me down. 
In this guard house we sleep on concrete floors v/ith one 
blanket for three men. Had little to eat. 

November 2nd. On water detail. All I do is carry 
v\'at€r about one-half kilo. Somebody always on your 
tail with a gun or a club. Not very much to eat. 

November ord. Cut wood today and worked awful 
hard. Had very little slum to eat too. All the prisoners 
half starved. 

November 4th. It rained all day today. Lots of 
mud but there was lots of work too. Everybody soaking 
wet and not much chance to dry clothes. 

November 5th. Was on K. P. Got some tobacco and 
smoked in guard house. Guard saw us and searched us. 
Had it hid. Finally found it in my bunk but no one owned 
up to having it. The guard told me that he would be 
around that night and beat me up. They were in the 
habit of knocking the prisoners cocoo, so I moved my 



PRIVATE ROMEO 




GERMAN ARTILLERY OBSERVATION POST 

See Pag-e 66 for Description) 



THE DIARY OF 



bed. We had a dead line and were not allowed to cross it. 
When we wanted to go to the latrine we would call out 
"How is the Head Sentry?" He would call out, "No. 1 
coming on the hike", and we would have to double time 
out. When we would start back they would call out, 
"No. 2 coming back on the hike," and they would double 
time back. 

November 6th. My pal was sent to farm No. 2. 
We had to go through town to get our chow and always 
march at attention. One day I forgot to keep my 40 
inches between ranks and I was reminded of it by an JM. 
P. who was in charge of the detail. He came up from 
behind and without a word of warning, hit me oshind 
the ear with his fist, but it felt more like a sapling. 
Believe me, if we hadn't had the M. Ps., I don't think we 
would have won the war. Like Hell. 

Novefnber 7th. Worked hard all day. Dug ditches 
and policed up around camp. Don't hear much about 
the war here. Keeps you busy dodging clubs and fists. 
The M. P.'s treat us awful. 

November 8th. Was on detail shaking cooties off 
the blankets. Nothing can shake them off. They must 
be fastened on with glue. 

November 9th. Worked all day with very little to 
eat and bad treatment. Cooties won't let me sleep 
nights. I must have a million on me. 

November 10th. On kitchen detail. Thought I 
would steal a bite to eat, but an M. P. busted me in the 
jaw and changed my mind for once. 

November 11th. Worked hard around guard house 
all day. Don't get much chance to rest. Wouldn't mind 
it so much if we got some decent food or even a lot 
of what they do feed us. 

November 12th. Was latrine Sergeant. Believe me 
I hope I don't get it again. That is the worst I have 



PRIVATE ROMEO 31 



had yet. Understand that an armistice was si^ed yes- 
terday. "Who won the war?" "M. P.s" "Who helped 
them?" "The Y. M. C. A."— Like hell. 

November 13th. On wood detail today. Rode in 
the wagon so I didn't have to do any walking. The 
driver was a decent sort of a fellow and gave me a 
smoke on the Q. T. 

November 14th. Was courtmartialed. Don't know 
what our sentence was but soon found out. I got 3 
months hard labor and two-thirds of my pay for the 
same time. 

November 15th. Taken to No. E cell to serve our 
sentence. 

November 16th. They searched us and took all of 
our tobacco, knives and razors away from us. They said 
they would give them back to us. 

November 17th. We work one week and drill the 
next week in this new camp. 

November 18th. We loaded ashes on trucks all day. 
We have a nice place to sleep with a mattress full of 
straw and 3 blankets apiece. 

November 19th. Are sleeping upstairs over a Y. M. 
C. A. and moving pictures. Aren't allowed to go to 
any of them. 

November 20th. One of the guard detail Sergeants 
let a few of us go down stairs to see a moving picture 
show and have a smoke. 

November 21st Went on sick call to see the 
Doctor. Gave me a couple of pills and said I was all 
right. Went back to work. 

November 22nd. New order from G. H. Q.: All 
prisoners must drill a half day every day. Started to 
drill with rifles. Also played a few games. This is 
better than working all the time. 



32 THE DIARY OF 



November 23rd. Drilled all day today. This is get- 
ting to be like old times. 

November 24th. Hiked about seven kilos and drilled 
the rest of the day. The eats haven't improved any 
either. 

November 25th. Had physical exercises and played 
games all day. These games are harder than working. 
Don't seem like Sunday. 

November 26th. Drilled all day. Beginning to 
wish that I was back at work. 

November 27th. Drilled and worked today. One 
of the fellows got away from the guard house. He 
was caught, and the guard officer beat him up something 
awful. 

November 28th. Took a bath and tried to get rid 
of the cooties. We put our underwear through the de- 
louser to try and kill the cooties. It was no use for they 
were so thick. 

November 29th. Thanksgiving Day but a poor one 
for me. Some feed we had. Gravy, bread and butter, and 
no seconds. Worked half of the day. 

November 80th. We are building a new stockade. 
The other one is too full. The mud is up to our knees, 
and it rains all the time. 

December 1st. Worked all day stacking lumber. 
For one big meal we had a chunk of bread and one can 
of trench trout for three men. 

December 2nd. Dug trenches to drain the water 
off all day. Same kind of a heavy meal as yesterday. 

December 8rd. Have three buildings up all ready. 
Guess they are going to pinch the whole army by the 
looks of things. 

December 4th, Helped move a djmamo. I don't 



H 



PRIVATE ROMEO S3 



know what they are going to do with it. Probably ex- 
hibition purposes. We don't even have candles. 

December 5th. Worked on the buildings all day. 

December 6th. One of the carpenters gave me a 
sack of Bull Durham. Thought I was rich. Said for 
gosh sake not to say a thing to any one as he might get 
in bad. 

December 7th. Working — And dodging around trying 
to get out of all we could. 

December 8th. Off duty. Tried to get some new 
clothes. Fighting the cooties. 

December 9th. Worked on the buildings all day. 
Believe me not much chance to beat duty here. Not 
much to eat today. 

December 10th. Loaded ashes all day. Pretty 
dirty work. Couldn't even clean up afterwards. 

December 11th. Back on the same detail where we 
had been working. It is a big chocolate factory. While 
waiting for the trucks to unload tried to get some choco- 
late but one of the Frogs would run us out. 

December 12th. Called my name and told to roll 
up and get ready to go. Gave all but 25 Francs of my 
money back. About half an hour later they called my 
name and told me it was a mistake. Believe me, I was 
sure disappointed because didn't get to go. 

December 13th. The guards found out that I had 
some money. Were mad because I wouldn't give them 
any. Made me work awful hard. 

December 14th. We are allowed to smoke. Bought 
40 F. worth of Tobacco and divided it among the prison- 
ers. Believe me, We sure enjoyed ourselves. 

December 15th. Drilled in the a. m. and hiked in 
the p. m. This is a little change, but believe me we 
were tired. 



34 THE DIARY OF 



December 16th. Lied around all day. Am decorat- 
ing my mess kit. All the amusement we have. 

December 17th. Lied around all day. Still working 
on my mess kit. Believe me it looks pretty fancy. 

December 18th. Rained all day. Took us to a 
picture show in the p. m. There must be something 
wrong. I guess that they mil make up for it before 
long. 

December 19th. The Loot gave us a speech and told 
us that our time would be up the middle of next month. 
That there was no use of any of us trying to get away. 
We sure are anxious to get away. 

December 20th. Worked all day. Still digging 
ditches and putting up buildings. 

December 21st. Same details. M. Ps. beat up a 
couple of prisoners this evening. Believe me they will 
get theirs. 

December 22nd. Moved from No. E cell to stockade. 
We had about 700 men and one kitchen and it was a tough 
time we had getting chow. Rained most of the time 
and no one can imagine 700 men in line to one kitchen 
standing in the rain and mud. Sleeping was pretty bum 
too. There was about a foot of mud in the barracks and 
no ticks to sleep on. It was pretty cold. 

December 23rd. Worked hard all day in the rain. 
Very little to eat and cruel treatment. 

December 24th. Same as day before. It's pretty 
near the same every day. Treat you fine one day and 
rotten the next six. 

December 25th. Christmas Day. The Red Cross 
gave us candy and cigarettes. Also surprised with a 
good feed. Was issued a pair of rubber boots at night. 
Some Christmas present. 



PRIVATE ROMEO 35 



December 26th. Got orders not to smoke. Took all 
our smokes away from us. Orders changed and we are 
allowed one cigarette after each meal. On a warehouse 
detail in a. m. and on another in the p. m. 

December 27th. Worked hard all day. Very muddy 
and cold. Have bushels of cooties. No water to wash 
in and no razors. Some bum looking outfit. 

December 28th. Met a friend named Hildron in the 
guard house. Was a Mess Sergeant but now a prisoner 
like me. Asked for a job in the kitchen but never got 
it. But he got his. He was caught selling rations to the 
Frogs and got a general court martial. 

December 29th. Told my time would be up January 
24th. One more month of slaving. 

December 80th. The Major investigated our. condition 
The Loot was courtmartialed and sent back to the states 
as a private. 

December 31st. Camp condemned and work in the 
buildings stopped. Had to dig some ditches. 

January 1st. New Year's day. Holiday. Finished 
decorating my mess kit. Sure looks fine. Will get about 
ten years if the officers ever see it. 

January 2nd. Started tearing down the buildings we 
had built. This is some swell job. 

January 3rd. On another detail. Must have 
worked too hard yesterday. We don't have to work very 
hard. No, not much. 

January 4th. Carried lumber all day. Ran a nail 
in my foot and went to the hospital. Painted it with 
iodine and was marked "Duty." 

January 5th. Went on trucks to get ashes for side- 
walks. Drunken M. P. run us in a ditch. Had to walk 
back to camp. Some hike. 



THE DIARY OF 




DESTRUCTION OF CLOTH HALL. 



A picture of Cloth Hall, in the city of Ypres 
Belgium, which at one time was considered to be the 
most beautiful cathedral in the world, where the 
kings of Belgium were crowned. It is said the 
Kaiser anticipated being crowned king of Belgium 
there, but the Allies sadly disappointed him. In 
chagrin he ordered the shelling of Cloth Hall by his 
heavy guns in May, 1915, while held by the Ca- 
nadian forces, completely destroying this wonderful 
edifice. 



\ 



PRIVATE ROMEO 37 




EXPLODING SHELLS AT YPRES 

German shells bursting behind our lines at 
Ypres, Belgium, plainly showing the difference be- 
tween gas and high explosive shells, the light color 
being a. gas shell, the large black one being a 12- 
inch high explosive. In the background you will see 
a small 18-pounder bursting. 



38 THE DIARY OF 



January 6th. On K. P. all day chopping wood and 
incidentally stealing a little grub when the cooks weren't 
looking. I sure need it. 

January 7th. Worked all day. When we got back 
they read the numbers of the men who were to go back 
to their outfit. My number was read too. Am some 
happy guy. 

January 8th. Marched us to Boini to a replacement 
camp and turned loose. Believe me we fixed up a few 
M, Ps. who were not on duty. They don't like blue hat 
cords anj^way. 

January 9th. Received all new equipment and put 
on train. I am not going to miss any more trains now. 
It sure feels good to be a free man. 

January 10th. Stopped in Paris for about 2 hours. 
Took the 4:40 train for La Mans. Changed at La Mans 
for Nougent. Slept all night in barns at Nougent. 

January 11th. Got up at 8 a. m. Marched over 
to the office. Rode 18 kilos on trucks. Arrived at Belleme 
about 2 p. m. Reported back to Company. The Captain 
asked how I was getting along. Said, "Very well, sir." 

January 12th. Sat around all day. I guess they are 
thinking up something for me to do. 

January 13th. Was on K. P. with Private Shaw 
Marteany. Was pretty hungry and went to get some 
meat and bread. Cook Myre said, "You have already got 
your share. I have 150 men to feed at 6:30." Got in 
a poker game at night and won 150 F. Played until 12 

January 14th. Physical drill and some squads East 
and West. Had a 2 mile hike in the afternoon.' 

Januaiy 15th. Squads East and West and 'round 
about all day. Also some signal drill and calisthenics. 

January 16th. Rained all day today, so we spent 
our time listening to lectures. First aid work too. 



PRIVATE ROMEO 39 



January 17th. Battalion went out on a problem. 
Raining hard and lots of mud. Tired and hungry when 
we got back. 

January 18th. Went on guard. Met an old pal from 
Headquarters Company. Private Griffith is his name. 
About 8:30 the O. D. came in the guard house. No one 
Called "Attention." He said, "Don't you know what to do 
when an officer comes in?" We said, "Yes, sir, but we 
never saw you." He took all the Corporals names. Had 
No. 4 Post inside the guard house. Sat down all night. 

January 19th. Sunday. Came off guard at 11:30 a. 
m. Loafed around all day. 

January 20th. Physical drill, bayonet drill and 
squads east and west. In the afternoon we passed in 
review twice. Hiked about 8 miles to do this. Some 
tired when we got back. 

January 21st. Practiced for review by Gen. Persliing 
at the same field. 

January 22nd. Practiced French drill. Marched us 
around and around in the morning. Had a field meet in 
the afternoon. Music by the 361st band. 

January 23rd. Hiked about 18 kilos doing the 
French drill. The American one is bad enough. 

January 24th. Squads East and West all day. Was 
issued some shoes. They are as bad as the ones I just 
took off. 

January 25th. Took a bath. Sent my clothes 
through the delouser and stayed in the rest of the day 
drying them. 

January 26th. Pretty cold. Snowed a little. Stayed 
as close to a fire as the crowd would permit. 

January 27th. Reviewed by Gen. Pershing. Hiked 
5 kilos with fixed bayonets. Had an early dimier and 
got to the field about noon. The whole Regiment was 



40 THE DIARY OF 



there. Stood until 4 o'clock in the snow and ice. Some 
cold feet. Almost frooze. Loot Coffee saw me spit in 
ranks and ordered me to report to the orderly room after 
we passed in review. Double timed about 1% miles 
and was all in when I got back to the billet. After mess 
reported to Captain for spitting in ranks. Got 3 days 
extra duty. 

January 28th. Marched out to drill ground. As- 
similated capturing macliine guns. Trench mortars fired 
some gas shells. 

January 29th. Sighting and aiming drill. Eetreat 
at 4 o'clock. 

January 30th. Wood hauling detail with Private 
Pete Faber. Gave the mule skinner some B. S. and did 
little work. 

January 31st. Sighting and aiming drill in a. m. 
Issued new shoes in p. m. 

February 1st. Took bath. Rest of day off. Got out 
of inspection. 

February 2nd. On bath detail with Private Offield 
carrying water. Some job carrying water for delouser. 
Had to carry it about 2 blocks. Now Oh! S. we are in 
the army. 

February 3rd. On extra duty for ditching inspection 
Saturday. On clothes cleaning detail. 

February 4th. Ditto. Believe me this is no snap. 
I never saw such dirty clothes in my life. I'll bet some 
of them haven't been washed since they were issued. 

February 5th. Ditto. Beat a lot of duty today. I 
guess they will put me back to duty so they can get 
through. 

February 6th. Had Divisional parade today. Had 
to double time about two miles. Was all in. 



PRIVATE ROMEO 41 



February 7th. Still on clothes cleaning detail. Was 
just relieved yesterday to get in the parade. 

February 8th. Inspection. Company E took the 
prize for being the cleanest outfit. They ought to have 
taken it with all the work I put in cleaning up clothes 
and equipment. 

February 9th. On K. P. \\ath Romo and Jones. We 
sure did fill up. The cooks were sore and going to re- 
port us. 

February 10th. Physical drill, rapid fire. Physical 
inspection. Ran the 100-yard dash in 15 seconds. I 
learned that keeping out of the way of the M. Ps. 

February 11th. Charge quarters. Some cold. Stole 
coal and wood. Equipment inspection. 

February 12th. Cleaned equipment On guard. 
Played Black Jack. Funeral of Sergeant Lezack, Co. F. 

February 13th. Cleaned Equipment. Played Black 
Jack. 

February 14th. Cleaned Equipment. Won 100 F. 
in Black Jack game. 

February 15th. Inspection with full pack. Called 
for long hair and dirtv gas mask. Had to reclean equip- 
ment. Wine detail. 

February 16th. Woke up with an awful hang over. 
Got up at noon and gambled the rest of the day. Won a 
few francs. 

February 17th. Charge of quarters today. Cleaned 
everything up while the boys were out drilling. Also 
took on a few snorts of annisette. 

February 18th. Drilled in the rain all day. Have 
to wear three pairs of wool socks to keep my shoes from 
coming off. 

February 19th. Interior guard duty today instead 
of drill. The fields are almost like rivers. 



42 THE DIARY OF 



February 20tli. Rain let up a little today, so we 
went at it again — Squads East and West. 

February 21st. Field meet. Company E won all 
honors. I won the 100-yard dash; also equipment race. 
Rained hard. 

February 22nd. No inspection. Co. E had a big 
party. Some feed and plenty of drinks. Lasted until 
2 a. m. Was on the stage acting as Black Joe from 
Frisco. We all got cocoo. 

February 23rd. Sunday. Nothing to do. After 
dinner Sergeant Frey and I went for a 7 kilo hike. 
Bought a dozen eggs in the country and some meat. 
Sergeant Frey, McGonigle, Casabeer and I had some feed 
and plenty to drink. We ate so much we had to take 
a walk to settle our supper. Played Black Jack and 
was some lucky. Won 400 Francs. 

February 24th. Was on K. P. Rained all day but 
the Company took a long hike. 

February 25th. Second platoon took a bath and 
drilled all day. 

February 26th. Was room orderly. Went on a wine 
detail and had a big supper and had a good feed with 
a private family. 

February 27th. Took a bath in the a. m. and went 
on another wine detail at noon. Was cooco the rest of the 
day. When I got back one of the boys put me to bed 
and didn't wake up until 7 o'clock. I was hungry so 
Sergeant Fry and I went out and got a big feed. 

February 28th. Was on a pit detail at the range 
Was on No. 12 target. All the men firing on No. 12 
must have been cocoo for they only got two bulls-eyes. 
The mud was knee deep all around. 

March 1st. Had inspection of rifles and side arms. 
Every thing O. K. Got into a poker gajne and played 
until reveille next morning. Broke even. 



PRIVATE ROMEO 



43 






m 



44 THE DIARY OF 



March 2nd. Paid at 8 o'clock. Lots of money to 
g-amble with. "Ho, Dice, for a Big 7!" Hit 'em bones 
witli an old natural." "And he went away on a pair of 
box cars." "Snake eyes for 20 francs." "I've got you 
faded, drive on." "Phoebe dice for 30 francs." "Twenty 
francs he's right." That's all you heai\ 

March 3rd. The Company stood muster and inspec- 
tion of equipment and rifles. They Vv^ere all dirty. The 
Captain said, "Of all the dirty, rotten, filthy outlits, you 
are one today. I am ashamed of you, the Major is 
ashamed of you, the Company officers are ashan^ed of you, 
and you should be ashamed of yourself." Went on out- 
post guard and had to take full field equipmen-. Rained 
all night but we had some good feeds. 

March 4th. Had an easy guard. Came off in P. 
M. and cleaned up. 

March 5th. Went on fatigue in a. m. and washed 
up for inspection in p. m. 

March 6th. On wagon detail. Had to haul wood 
about 6 kilos. Prettj^ tired. 

March 7th. Changed billets. Fell in for drill at 1 
o'clock. Practiced new drill. 

March 8th. Stood inspection. Was room orderly. 
Pretty soft for me. 

March 9th. Turned in extra O. Ds. and shoes. Y. 
M. C. A. served hot chocolate and cookies in the p. m. 

March 10th. Had a real inspection. Nothing doing 
in the afternoon. Had a fight \vith Corporal Lanquist 
at night. Gave him a black eye. He is wearing dark 
glasses now. 

March 11th. Embarkation officer inspected us on 
drill. Were on the bum proper but got by 0. K. Said 
we were the cleanest outfit he ever saw. Drilled in the 
afternoon. 



PRIVATE ROMEO 45 



March 12th. Divisional inspection in the morning. 
Nothing doing in the p. m. 

March 13th. On fatigue detail. The Company had 
corn willie for dinner but I had a big feed at a restaurant. 

March 14th. On fatigue detail in the morning. Were 
supposed to drill in the p. m. but the Skipper opened his 
heart and let us off. Had a big show at the Y. M. C. 
A. Were supposed to take a bath but run out of water, 
so we were S. O. L. 

March 15th. Had inspection of full packs in morning 
preparatory to embarkation. No drill in the p. m. 

March 16th. Sunday. No drill. Had to stand check 
revellie and retreat. Played poker all day and broke 
even. 

March 17th. Passed in review for Major General 
Lewis of the 30th Division. Brig. Gen. McDonald was 
presented with the D. S. C. Sergeant West of the 363rd 
was presented with the Congressional Medal. Were in- 
spected by the Major. 

March 18th. Company on guard. Corporal Eshel 
made a mistake and came to order arms and got bawUed 
out. This was the last guard mount for the Regiment in 
France. Had a field meet in the afternoon. 

March 19th. No drill. Policed up and got ready to 
move. Slept on stone floor with one blanket that night. 
Pretty cold. 

March 20th. Left Bellume, France, at 8 a. m. and 
hiked 23 kilos through Merci to Noganet. Arrived there 
at 1 p. m. Y. M. C. A. gave us a teaspoonful of chocolate 
and half a cooky. Given Right by File and loaded on 
box cars eight by twenty feet with 29 men with packs 
to a car. Believe me, we were some crowded. Put on 
guard so watched my chance for some one to get up so 
I could sit down. Went through Le Mans at 6:20 and had 
supper at Sable at 7:30. Left Sable at 8 o'clock. 



46 THE DIARY OF 



March 21st. Arrived at St. Nazaire at 7 a. m. and 
had breakfast in the cars. Order to fall in for a 2 mile 
hike for Camp No. 2. It was 4 miles to camp and we 
carried full packs. Had inspection when we arrived at 
camp and found one louse on a fellow so the whole 
division had to go through the delouser. Drew bed sacks, 
filled them with straw and hiked over to Camp 1 to turn 
in reserve rations. Returned and lined up for mess. 
There were 10,000 men feeding from one kitchen. Went 
to the Y. M. C. A. at 6:30 to see a movie. The place 
was so crowded that they tried to put some of us out. 
There was nothing doing with the bunch so they let us 
stay. The show was rotten. 

March 22nd. We moved to Camp No. 1, about 1^/4 
miles. Nothing doing the rest of the morning. Played 
games in the afternoon until 2 o'clock. Lined up to take 
a bath and get clean clothes. 

March 23rd. Sunday. Rained all day. Nothing to 
do. Company fell in for mess at noon. Decided to wait 
until the line got short so I wouldn't have to wait so 
long. Went over when it was short and one of the Mess 
line officers saw me and asked, "Why didn't you line up 
v^dth your Company?" I said, "Sir, it was raining too 
hard to stand in line." "All right", he said, "now you can 
wait until supper." 

March 24th. Played games and had Company drill 
in the morning. Identification inspection after mess and 
the rest of the day off. 

March 25th. Headquarters Company, Macliine Gun 
Company and Supply Company went on board ship. Rest 
of the bunch played games and drilled in the morning 
and had the afternoon off. 

March 26th. Lined up for breakest. Mush and tea. 
One hour's exercise and 1^/^ hours' drill. Rest of the day 
off. 



I 



PRIVATE ROMEO 



47 




AMERICAN TRENCH IN THE ARGONNE 



48 THE DIARY OF 



March 27th. Little change at breakfast this a. m. 
Had beans. At noon we had camouflaged bully beef 
(something the boys sure like) with tea. 

March 28th. It must have been a holiday as we had 
2 hot cakes for breakfast. Signed the pay roll. 

March 29th. Don't know what we had for breakfast 
as I overslept. Ordered to get ready for inspection. Every 
thing ready when the top kicker said the inspection was 
called off. It must have been raining too hard. 

March 30th. Had physical exercise and drilled all 
morning. Took a bath in the afternoon. They put 300 
through in 5 minutes. You go in the bath house through 
one door and stay in 5 minutes and out the other side. 
Ten thousand men can get a bath in 1 hour. Some bath. 

March 31st. Played games and physical exercise in 
the morning. Paraded and Passed in review while they 
decorated one of the Q. M. Colonels in the afternoon. 

April 1st. Played games and had physical drill in 
the a. m. Cootie examination in the P. M. Hiked to 
Camp No. 2 and went through the cootie building. Told 
to stay around camp and be ready to go aboard ship. 
Got paid. Private Marks was asleep when his name was 
called. He got out of bed and put his overcoat on and 
went after his pay without dressing. 

April 2nd. Breakfast at 6:30. Rolled packs and 
stacked rifles in the street. Policed the barracks and had 
dinnier. Left camp at 1:30 and hiked 3 miles to St. 
Nazaire. The Y. M. C. A. gave us a cup of chocolate, 
2 cookies, a bar of chocolate, a package of gum and some 
cigarettes. Went on board the U. S. S. Mexican at 4 p. m. 
Were marched right by file down to "D" deck. Had bunk 
No. 479. Were not allowed to smoke and had to stay by 
our bunks until all troops were on board. Had mess at 
7 o'clock consisting of a half cup of tea, two small pieces 
of bread, a can cf sardines and one O. D. spud. Had 



PRIVATE ROMEO 



some time getting back to our deck as it was so crowded 
it was almost impossible to move in any direction. 

April 8rd. Left France at 4:30 in the morning and 
had breakfast at 8 30. Had life boat drill at 3 o'clock. 
Sure had some time to move around for the drill. After 
that we had inspection. 

April 4th. Had cootie inspection. The weather was 
very bad. Sea very rough and raining. 

April 5th. Stood in canteen line for over 3 hours. 
Had another life-boat drill. 

April 6th. The Y. M. C. A. gave us a piece of 
lemon. The sea was pretty rough and nearly everybody 
was sick. Felt pretty good, myself. Got in a poker 
game and lost nearly 150 dollars. 

April 7th. Our Company on guard. I had Post No. 
12 of the second relief. It was cold and the sea was rough 
so I didn't get any sleep. 

April 8th. Sea a little better, but rained hard all 
day. Had boat drill and cootie inspection. The Y. M. C. 
A. gave us some candy. 

April 9th. Rained all day. The wind was strong 
and the sea sure was rough. One of the sailors got in 
a poker game and won about 300 bucks. Then an order 
came out prohibiting gambling. We used chips and 
cashed in after the game. They put an M. P. in each 
hold to stop gambling but that didn't make any difference. 

April 10th. Heard the top cutter say, "Get up, get 
^P, yovL should have been up 2 hours ago." He nearly 
got beat up as he woke up some F Company boys. It 
rained a little in the morning but was fine in the after- 
noon. Got in a poker game and won about 50 bucks. 

April 11th. Got in the canteen line this morning 
and got some candy and peanut butter. Put them in my 
bunk. Private Romo found them and had a feed. I asked 



THE DIARY OF 



him about it and he said, "Private Truax told me I could 
have them so I ate them. They gave us some postal 
cards in the afternoon. You couldn't guess what they 
were like. They were all alike and had printed on them, 
"I am safe and sound in the good old U. S. A. We were 
about 50 hours out of New York then. The sea was 
pretty rough. 

April 12th. The top cutter came around and told 
us to lay everything out on our bunks for inspection. 
Didn't eat any dinner but I did eat about 2 dollars worth 
of candy. Sea still rough but the sun shining bright. 

April 13th. We received orders to wash, shave and 
have our hair cut short. We rolled our packs and put 
all Red Cross bags inside. Got a letter from Gen. Persh- 
ing putting out some advice. Got in a poker game and 
played 5 hands. Only stayed once and lost 65 smacks. 

April 14th. Ordered to turn in all fatigue clothes. 
Was on a detail to swab up the boat in the afternoon. 
The sea was calm and the £un very bright. We could 
see lots of boats and could see a lighthouse in the distance. 
We arrived at New York at 8:30 at night but stayed 
on board until morning. 

April loth. We got up at 4 o'clock and rolled our 
blankets. Had breakfast at 5. The boat pulled over to 
Pier No. 2 and we were ordered to go below and get our 
packs and stand by our bunks. After the boat tied up, 
we put on our packs and came ashore in sigle file. We 
stopped on the dock for about a half hour while the Red 
Cross, Y. M. C. A., Salvation Army and the Jewish Wel- 
fare put out some coffee, doughnuts, candy, chewing gum, 
cigarettes, matches and post cards. We got on a ferry 
at Pier 2 and landed at Brookl^m at 11:30. The Pvcd 
Cross gave us some real American cake, the first we had 
had for a long time. We boarded a Long Island train 
and landed at Camp Mills. Left the train and hiked abo\it 
2 miles to our quarters. Arrived there about 2:15 p. m. 



1 



PRIVATE ROMEO 51 



Had dinner about 3 o'clock and it was the best feed since 
we had left Camp Lewis. Took a bath and went through 
the delouser at 12 that night. Issued new clothes. 

April 16th. Had a pass to New York. Arrived there 
at 2 o'clock. Had a shave the first thing and then walked 
around the streets. Went to the Salvation Army hotel 
for dinner. Sat down at the table in the Cafateria and 
waited for some one to come and wait on me. None 
came so I asked the cashier if there were any K. Ps. on 
the job. She told me that I would have to get my own. 
Believe me, I sure went at it. Ham and eggs, bread, but- 
ter, pie, cake, French fried and Java, all for six bits. 
I checked my slicker and went to the Palace theatre. 
Price: one buck and eleven cents, but it was worth it. 
Went back to the Salvation Army hotel at 12:15 and hit 
the hay, beaucoup fatigue. Left a call for six o'clock. 

April 17th. Didn't get my call at 6 and slept until 
10. Was late on pass so was A. W. O. L. Started for 
camp and arrived there at 12 o'clock. Reported to the 
first soldier. Confined to quarters for an indefinite period 
for overstaying pass. 

April 18th. We had inspection and roll call at nine 
o'clock this morning. The Skipper took the Company to 
the show at 10 o'clock. Just as we were going in 20 
of us were taken out for detail. Loaded trucks until 
noon. Knocked off for dinner. After mess the Company 
lined up and had some pictures taken. Then I went back 
and loaded trucks the rest of the afternoon. Had my 
picture taken with full pack. 

April 19. Raffled off a manicure set and it ^^'as 
won by Private W. H. Shaw. Went up to the supply 
room and drew some clothes. About 6 o'clock a nigger 
came along with a pair of dress shoes so I bought them 
for 2 and a half bucks. 



THE DIARY OF 



April 20th. Eaffled off the shoes I bought. Got 
four and a half out of it. Bought the shoes back for 
two and a half. | 

April 21st. The Company had their picture taken I 
again. On guard again. Private Fritz was on kitchen 
guard so about 10 o'clock I went over and asked • 
him how chances were to knock off a little food. He said 
it was 0. K. We only had about a dozen eggs apiece. 
When I came off at 12, I met Private O' Sri en and he | 
said he was hungry, so I took him to the kitchen and nxed ' 
himself up with a feed. '■. 

April 22nd. When we first came to thvi camp we 
were ordered to stand reveille every morning-. The first ; 
morning only about half the gang were out. The next ; 
morning only a few so the top kicker decided to check 
reveille. Now w^e have roll call every monnng. i 

April 23rd. Rifie inspection this morniii:;. Ordered 
not to leave the barracks for more than 80 minutes at ] 
a time as they were preparing to split the company into 
detachments to send to other camps for discharge. Sent \ 
a package of souvenirs home. The Company held a 
smoker with plenty of coffee, cake, and all lands of fruit 
and ice cream. There were some good speeches by EO'nae 
of the men. After that we went to a movie. 

April 24th. Rolled our packs after breakfast. The 
Company was split in bunches. Hiked to the Long Island ' 
Rail Road and boarded the train. At four we were on 
our way. 

April 25th. Got up at 8 o'clock in Pennsylvania. ; 

Stopped at Pittsburg at 9:30 for breakfast. Stopped at } 

Alliance, Ohio for a few minutes where the Red Cross \ 

gave us coffee and doughnuts. Passed Through Fort ^ 

Wayne, Indiana about 6 p. m. and arrived at Chicago ^ 

at 10:15 where we stayed 2 hours. There the Red Cross [ 
gave us candy, post cards and cigarettes. 






PRIVATE ROMEO 



53 




EFFECT OF A 21 CM. GUN 
(Note Horse in Tree) 



54 THE DIARY OF 



April 26th. Woke up in Waterto^vn, Wisconsin. The 
sun was shining bright and it was very warm but dusty. 
Hit LaCrosse, Wisconsin, at 10:30, and Minnesota City 
at 12-30. Got into Minneapolis at 4:30 and got off the 
train for exercise. The Red Cross gave us candy, cigar- 
ettes and matches. Arrived at Montevideo at 8.30 p. m. 
where the Eed Cross put out doughnuts and ice cream. 

April 27th. Arrived at Lemmon, North Dakota at 
7:30. Also stopped at Hettinger for a few moments. 
Arrived at Miles City, Montana at 2:15 p. m. Here the 
Red Cross gave us oranges. Got into Roundup at 8:30 
and the whole town was out to greet us. 

April 28th. When we got up there was no water on 
the train and we had to wait until we hit Deer Lodge 
before we could wash. Landed there at 7:30. The Red 
Cross put out breakfast for us. Arrived at Missoula at 
1 and at St. Marie, Idaho at 3:30. Landed in Spokane, 
Washington, at 7 o'clock and went at once to the Spokane 
Hotel for the big feed. After mess we paraded until 
10:30 and then went back to the train. 

April 29th. Got into Ellensburg at reveille and 
landed in Seattle at 11 o'clock. Marched up to the Mason- 
ic Temple and had some swell eats. Marched back to 
the train and started for Tacoma at 4:45, arriving there 
at 6:30. Paraded around to\vn and went to the Tacoma 
Commercial Club for another big feed. Marched back 
to the train and started for Camp Lewis. This is some 
busy place for as soon as we hit camp they started right 
out to muster out. We hit the hay at 2 o'clock after 
turning in our packs. 

April 30th. Up at 6:30 and had breakfast. At 9 we 
we were lined up for our final physical exams. Had to 
take an extra one for heart trouble, but it was only a 
cold. Returned at 1 and verified service record and 
signed pay roll. At 7 o'clock, Browman and I jazzed over 
to Greene Park and got a shave. On the way back we 



PRIVATE ROMEO 53 



stopped at the Hostess House and had a red chevron 
sewed on by a Y. M. C. A. girl. Were treated to a supper. 

May 1st. Got up late and didn't get much breakfast. 
Lined up at 8 o'clock for final discharge papers and pay. 
Eeceived my discharge and turned in my blankets. I was 
a free man again. Went over to the bus station and took 
a bus for Tacoma. 



Hurrah! Let 'er Buck! 
Powder River! 



Yours truly, 

G. L. ROMEO. 



ODE TO THE 91st DIVISION. 



From all over the West they heard the call 
And freely came and gave their all; 
Farmers, mechanics, pushers of quill. 
Shipped to Camp Lewis to learn their drill. 
"We'll stick together" the boys all vowed, 
"Of the 91st Division the world shall be proud." 
So they shipped them to France, so far away. 
In the name of Freedom and the U. S. A. 
Boom of thunder and the lightning flash, 
The torn earth rocks to the barrage crash. 
The strongholds in the Argonne almost sway 
But the 91st Division saves the day. 
Few men live to answer the roll; 
The boys of the Division paid the toll; 
Paid with their lives — their all they gave. 
And sleep their last sleep in a soldier's grave. 



5S THE DIARY OF 



ADDRESS BY COLONEL DAVIS 



The 361st Infantry has received its baptism of fire 
and has justified all predictions as to what its conduct 
would be. It has most creditably upheld all traditions 
that go toward establishing a worthy reputation in the 
military service. Never once has it faltered in any of the 
tasks assigned to the regiment; not once has it been 
ordered to advance but what it gained the necessary 
ground, and it is with well founded pride that we know 
that, on the high roll of honor of illustrous regiments 
of this war, must be written the name of the 361st In- 
fantry. The Commander-in-Chief congratulates you one 
all and extends to you, to our wounded and sick, as well 
as to those who have passed away, his sincere thanks for 
the glorious achievements of this splendid regiment. 

We are assembled here today, however, not to glory 
in our achievements, but to come to a realization of the 
high price we have paid for our victories, and bring back 
to our minds the memories of our friends and comrades 
who have fallen in this great cause and who have been 
sacrificed that our inhuman foe might be vanquished and 
the world made safe for our families and to our posterity. 
They are gone but what can be greater than to be laid 
away with the consecrated knowledge that one has given 
his very all to the work and in a cause than which there 
never was better or more righteous. We honor our dead 
yet more do they honor us as we bring back to our 
memory Miller Farvvell, D. Smith Long and Paul Moore 
and others of our illustrous dead. We see them again 
as upright stalwart men who straggled to do their duties, 
never looking back but always encouraging and protect- 
ing others, and went fealessly to their deaths. We are 
lonely without them, and grieve deeply that they should 



PRIVATE ROMEO 57 



have been sacrificed. Their memory will always be with 
us as an example to us in many ways, and at this time 
and for ever after, our hearts must g-o out to their 
mothers and fathers, their wives and children, and to 
their sweethearts — they are the sufferers now — and their 
sacrifice is the greater in that they must continue on in 
life v/ithout their loved ones. We must ever remember 
their sad bereavement and stand ready to assist them 
because of their sacrifices to our cause. 

The Division has sent to us officers and men to take 
the place of those who have gone, and we welcome you 
to our regiment v/ith all our hearts and souls, and we 
ask you to become one of the great family that exists 
in this regiment as our cause is your cause, and we are 
all of one blood. Let your sorrows be our sorrows, the 
joys of one be the joys of the other. We will fight side 
by side, suffer side by side, and with this thought we 
welcome you to the 361st Infantry. We are proud of 
the Regiment as we are proud of you now a part of it, 
and it must be for evermore be your pride and love. We 
are glad to have you with us on this occasion, and we 
feel that the souls of those glorious ones who have de- 
parted welcome you as strongly as we do ourselves. 



(Colonel Davis, Commanding the 861st Infantry, was 
killed in axition in Belgium, November 2, 1918, and buried 
at Warlegem, Belgium.) 



"When the war drums cease their throbbing, 

And the battle flags are furled 
In the parliament of nations, 

The federation of the world." 



58 THE DIARY OF 



THE ARGONNE DRIVE 



The following is a brief account of the attack made 
by the 181st Brigade of the 91st Division on the town j 

of Gesnes, September 29th, 1918: j 

I 
"The 181st Brigade, comprised of the 361st and 

362nd Infantry Regiments, supported by the 347th Ma- - 
chine Gun Battalion, went into action for the first time 

with the 91st Division at da^vn of September 26th. Its i 

starting point was a line southwest of the town of i 

Avocourt in the department of the Mouse, in the Ar- \ 

gonne, about 14 miles west by northwest of Verdun. At | 
noon of September 29th the Brigade was occupying a 
line of pits on the long side hill just north and northwest 

of the Cierges woods (Bois Commimal de Cierges) or , 

was lying in shelter in the northern part of the woods : 

itself. I 

"Shortly after noon on the 29th the Brigade re- | 

ceived an order from a high military source directing it ^ 

to capture the town of Gesnes regardless of cost. Gesnes 1 

lay about a mile and a half in front of the positions \ 
occupied by the two regiments and the Machine Gun 

Battalion. The orders were to move forward after a j 

short artillery preparation that was to begin at 3:30 p. j 

m. I 

At 3:40 the 362nd Infantry advanced, followed by a 
part of the 361st, with the 347tli Machine Gun Battalion 
at the right. From the front line as held at 3:40 to the 
town of Gesnes the route ran over three ridge tops. 



it 

J 



PRIVATE ROMEO 59 



The starting point was near the crest of the first ridge. 
It was a small distance between the first ridge and the 
second, a greater distance between the second ridge and 
the third while the third ridge overlooked the town. 
The front of attack for the Brigade and the Machine 
Gun Battalion was about a mile wide. The ridges were 
bare except for a couple of small patches of woods be- 
tween the first ridge and the second. 

"On the high timbered hills west and north and 
northeast of Gesnes, the Germans had dozens of artillery 
batteries and scores of machine gun nests. Directly in 
front of the Brigade were also machine gun nests, while 
the ridges at the right front and a woods at the left 
front were also full of machine gun emplacements and 
rifle snipers. As the Germans saw the American line 
strike the top of the first ridge, everything they had 
broke loose. High explosives, shrapnel, gas shells, 
snipers' bullets, and machine gun bursts, were poured 
into the thinning ranks of the devoted men who made 
this charge. 

"The most remarkable thing about the attack on 
Gesnes is that the town was taken. By 5:00 o'clock the 
Germans could be seen streaming out of it up the hills 
to the northward. Certain 91st units entered the streets 
yelUng Towder River,' the well-known battle cry of the 
361st Infantry. So great was the confusion, and so 
heavy the losses, that maintenance of regimental or even 
company fronts was impossible, and at the end rem- 
nants of many companies of both regiments got to town, 
while certain of them proceeded some hundreds of yards 
beyond the town and dug in for the night. 

"Shortly before 10:00 o'clock a general order came 
to the Brigade directing it to retire to the old Una 
While tlie 181st Brigade had taken Gesnes 'regardless 
of cost,' it was left in a narrow salient thrust out from 
the main front Line of the army. Because of the fire 



THE DIARY OF 



from the flanks, the position was not considered tenable, 
and so although it had done all that was asked of it 
and more, the Brigade was compeUed to retire. Those 
who could, of course, straggled back to their positions 
that night, arriving at all hours until morning, but 
another 24 hours lost men were making their way to 
their outfits, one by one. 

"So astonished were the Germans at this exhibition 
of courage and fight that they did not attempt again 
to occupy in any force the ground between Gesnes and 
the Cierges woods. Gesnes was retaken on the 4th of 
October. 

"Because of the exceeding confusion on that after- 
noon, and because the men in seeldng temporary shelter 
in shell holes and here and there, became so badly scat- 
tered, it has been impossible to get eye witness details 
of many of the deaths. Men saw other men killed, but 
did not know who they were, or in the uproar did not 
realize who they were. But this was probably the 
greatest ordeal through which any portion of the 91st 
Division passed, and perhaps little apolog>' is necessary 
when the report made has to say simply that the soldier 
lost his life in 'going to Gesnes!' 

"COLIN V. DYMENT, 
CVD-EF "Lt. A. R. C., 91st Division." 




PRIVATE ROMEO 61 



THE TOLL 



The follounng Comrades of my Company gave their 
all for the cause of freedom and democracy: 

Sergeant Don W. Clark, Bordeaux, Wash. 
Corporal Guy O. Enman, Deer Park, Wash. 
Private Ottavio Fiscalini, Temecula, Cal. 
Corporal Leo K. McCormack, Republic. Wash. 
Private Bert C. Smith, Falls City, Wash. 
Private John McMullen, Inot, Mont. 
Private Charles V. Williams, Chico, Cal. 
Private Leland W. Toll, Kooskia, Idaho. 
Corporal John L. Hepworth, Blackfoot, Idaho. 
Private Carol F. Jackson, Artesian, S. Dak. 
Private Victor Kangas, Norwood, Idaho. 
Private Gay Luther Jones, Snohomish, Wash. 
Private Frank R. Mitchell, Birmingham, Ala. 
Private Claus E. Nygren, Portland, Ore. 
Private William Lawrence O'Neal, Fortson, Wash. 
Private Dan W. Root, Seattle, Wash. 
Private Lloyd J. Carr, New Kamilche, Wash. 
Private Robert C. Worthington, Jerome, Idaho. 
Private Floyd Minch, May^^ood, Mo. 
Private Kyle G. Walker, Shoshone, Wyo. 
Private Christof C. J. Brending, Seattle, Wash. 
Private Stanley Karpinski, East Tacoma, Wash. 
Private Harmon T. Draney, Auburn, Wash. 




62 



THE DIARY OF 



91st DIVISION CASUALTY LIST 



Regiment Killed in Died of Missing in Prisoners Total 
Action Wounds Action 



361 Inf. 


227 


78 


89 


2 


446 


362 Inf. 


240 


64 


190 


11 


475 


863 Inf. 


208 


54 


101 


8 


371 


364 Inf. 


142 


41 


62 


2 


247 


346 M. G. 












Battalion 


2 


1 








3 


347 M. G. 












Battalion 


42 


15 


4 





61 


348 M. G. 












Battalion 


25 


9 


6 





40 


346 Art. 











........> 


347 Art. 


, 




...>...> 




«.»..... 


348 Art. 

















316 T. M. 












Battery 







........ 


......... 


. .. 


316 Eng. 


28 


13 


18 





59 















Total 



934 



275 



470 



23 



1702 




PRIVATE ROMEO 



63 



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64 



THE DIARY OF 



THE CASUALTY LIST 



dsion 


Killed in 


Died of 


Missing in 


Prisoners 


Total 




Action 


Wounds 


Action 






1 


2203 


1050 


1789 


106 


5248 


2 


2716 


1329 


1067 


148 


5268 


3 


1901 


589 


873 


254 


3617 


4 


1500 


618 


817 


51 


2986 


5 


970 


505 


989 


60 


2504 


6 


49 


67 


3 


3 


122 


7 


175 


98 


50 


3 


326 


26 


1388 


560 


462 


354 


2864 


27 


1302 


404 


330 


158 


2194 


28 


1544 


553 


1174 


619 


3890 


29 


597 


220 


267 


33 


1117 


30 


1084 


415 


251 


22 ^ 


1772 


32 


1694 


708 


768 


43 


3213 


35 


596 


217 


808 


112 


1738 


36 


328 


217 


808 


112 


1772 


37 


658 


116 


303 


2 


869 


42 


1702 


289 


440 


85 


2950 


77 


1275 


552 


529 


336 


2692 


78 


915 


339 


508 


63 


1825 


79 


880 


352 


1142 


9 


2389 


80 


636 


337 


286 


96 


1355 


81 


203 


86 


79 


2 


270 


82 


802 


324 


271 


189 


1^92 


88 


20 


33 


7 


6 


66 


89 


838 


427 


256 


4 


1525 


90 


936 


427 


287 


35 


1585 


91 


934 


275 


470 


23 


1702 


92 


109 


50 


47 


5 


211 


93 


372 


105 


8 


4 


489 



PRIVATE ROMEO 65 



IN FLANDERS FIELDS 



In Flanders field the poppies blow 
Between the crosses, row on row. 

That mark our place; and in the sky 
The larks still bravely singing fly. 

Scarce heard amidst the guns below. 

We are the dead, 

Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw 
sunsets glow. 
Loved and were loved, and now we lie 

In Flanders fields. 

Take up our quarrel with the foe. 

To you from falling hands we throw the 
Torch- 
Be yours to hold it high; 

If ye break faith with us who die, 
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow 
In Flanders fields. 

— [Lieut. Col. John McCrae, Montreal, 
Canada. 




66 THE DIARY OF 



FLANDERS MUD. 

A typical scene behind the lines at the Somme, 
showing the famous Flanders mud. The boys were 
compelled to spend many months under these con- 
ditions, wading- through mud up to their waist lines. 
One can readily imagine the difficulty experienced 
wallo\\ing through this mud with rations, ammunition' 
and v/ater, taking from four to eight hours to traverse 
a distance of two miles. The Somme will never be for- 
gotten by any of our boys, and many of them will never 
recover from the exposure and hardships endured w^hile 
on duty at this front. 



GERMAN ARTILLERY OBSERVATION POST 

This wonderful picture shows what is known as a 
camouflage German Artillery Observation Post. You will 
notice the observer's crow's nest in the top from which 
point the Germans were able to watch the effect of their 
artillery fire on our front line trenches. These are built 
to a height of from 40 to 50 feet. They are constructed 
by the use of poles set in cement, and covered with tree 
limbs and painted burlap. These posts are camouflaged 
in this manner, so they cannot be detected by our airmen 
or obsrvation ballons. Often there are machine gun em- 
placements and sniper's posts concealed therein. To the 
left of the ladder you will note a small dugout used by 
the Germans while off duty. 



PRIVATE ROMEO 67 



MAMMOTH SHELL HOLE. 

The picture shown is an actual reproduction of 
the photo^aph taken from a captured Prussian guard 
officer on being searched June 8, 1916. This photograph 
givs one a good idea of the destruction which it might 
cause dropping amongst a battalion. This was taken 
some thirteen miles behind the German lines by a German 
officer, and is typical of millions of holes made by the 
heavy guns on the western front. This hole being 12 feet 
deep and 22 feet in diameter, affords a good swimming- 
hole for our boys. Oftimes as many men lose their lives 
by falling into these holes during an attack as those being 
hit by shells. Note the look of amazement on the German 
officer's face, wondering where the next one will land. 




68 



THE DIARY OF 




A SHELL FROM A BIG BERTHA EXPLODING 
BEHIND OUR LINES 




.^ 



PRIVATE ROMEO 



THE EJ^RGREEN TREE IS THE INSIGNA 




OF THE 91st (WILD WEST) DIVISION 



70 



THE DIARY OF 




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